mccreary centre society adolescent health survey (ahs iv) january– may 2008

McCreary Centre Society

Adolescent Health Survey (AHS IV)January– May 2008


McCreary Centre Society: A non-profit, non-government organization

committed to research, education and action on youth health

What we do:

Province wide survey of youth in school every 5 years

Special population surveys (street-involved youth, youth in custody, youth in alternate education programs Aboriginal youth, etc).

Youth engagement and leadership projects

Project of…


AHS IV

Funded by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Family Development

No cost to School Districts

Survey designed with input from interested BC Ministries, consultation with stakeholders (including Parent Advisory Committees,School Trustees, Superintendents, academics, Statistics Canada, etc.) and youth


What is the AHS?

A confidential, 146 item questionnaire

Administered by Public Health Nurses

Administered to students in Grades 7-12

Contains questions about physical and emotional health

Provides current, accurate information about what BC youth know, think and do about their health


Who participates?

All School Districts in BC are invited to participate:

AHS I AHS II AHS III

1992 1998 2003

# of students 16,000 26,000 31,000

# of SD 64% 72% 76%


Who participates?

A randomly selected sample of classrooms is drawn by Statistics Canada

Schools determine which classes within the sample are surveyed

Parents are informed of the survey and can refuse to allow their child to participate

Students can choose not to participate at any point before or during the survey


How is the data used?

A provincial report which highlights the state of youth health in BC including trends over the past 15years

16 regional reports

Topic specific facts sheets and reports

Inform policy and practise of federal and provincial government, educators, health professionals and others working with youth

Measure success of current policies


Results from AHS III (2003)

18% drop in smoking since 1998

9 out of 10 youth report good or excellent health

Youth are waiting longer to have sex

Youth are waiting longer to try alcohol

Drinking and driving decreased significantly among licensed drivers

Majority of students participated in physical activity



Less than half of youth always felt safe at school

More youth were overweight and obese

Internet safety was a concern, especially for girls

Binge drinking rates had risen

Suicide attempt rates had not changed in a decade



The health of BC youth improved over the past decade

Youth who felt safe and connected at school, home and in their community had consistently better health, took fewer risks and had higher educational aspirations.

Youth who reported high level of school Connectedness(AHS III Results)

43%

28%23% 22%

23%30%

0%

25%

50%

75%

Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

School connectedness & risk behaviour(AHS III Results)

41%53%

45%34%

27%38%

25% 23%15%

23%15% 16%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Ever smoked Ever usedmarijuana

Involved inphysical fight

Ever had sex

Low Medium High

Weekly participation in extracurricular activities (past year)(AHS III results)

21%

32%28%

11%

24% 22%

0%

25%

50%

Poor/fair health Ever smoked Ever had sex

Did not participate Partcipated

Family connectedness & risk behaviours(AHS III Results)

51%41%

35%38%

26% 23%23%15% 14%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Ever used marijuana Ever smoked Ever had sex

Low Medium High


Why participate?

Comprehensive picture of the health of youth and ensures local youth are included in provincial picture

Provincial and regional reports and access to specific reports and fact sheets

Youth workshops using regional data and adult and youth presentations

Comprehensive data on youth health trends over the past 15 years

Continued participation will allow for trend data

Participating School Districts receive confidential set of data tables


What’s the impact on schools?

Takes one class period (30-45 min)

Administered by Public Health Nurses

Administrations are scheduled between school and nurses

School holds a copy of questionnaire for parents to view

McCreary deals with all parent and student enquiries


What's on the questionnaire?

Questions have been evaluated, tried and tested and many are used internationally

Questions address physical health, emotional health and health-risk behaviours

Questions address factors that promote healthy youth development (including connections with family, community and school)


What topics are covered?

Sports and leisure activities

School achievement

Nutrition

Cultural connections

Injury prevention

Substance use

Use of technology

Sexual behaviour

Family connectedness

School safety

Exercise and weight issues

Chronic illness and disabilities

Emotional health

Peer relationships


Who uses the AHS?

“I have used the data in several Provincial Health Officer reports. As the only ongoing source of such data, the Adolescent Health Survey provides critical information for policy makers at all levels.”

Dr. Perry KendallProvincial Health Officer

BC Ministry of Health


Who uses the AHS?

“..It has become very apparent that we need credible, in depth research into the constantly shifting world of teenage culture, health beliefs, habits and trend characteristics. One of the most substantive tools we have at our disposal is the work of the McCreary Centre Society and the reports that they produce in the province every five years.”

Jeff Stewart Middle School Principal

Courtenay


Who uses the AHS?

“The data collected has been used by all of us in the businesses of caring for youth. McCreary has the best data of its kind in the world; we are fortunate to be in the place where it is generated. Our kids deserve no less.”

Jim LathamAssistant Superintendent, Retired

School District 33


Who uses the AHS?

“We have used the data to set new health goals and to tailor services at the local level.”

Margaret AntolovichManager, Community and Family Health Coast Garibaldi

Vancouver Coastal health


For more information on the Adolescent Health Survey

www.mcs.bc.ca

Questions can be directed to:

Annie Smith Managing DirectorMcCreary Centre Society

[email protected]: 604-291-1996 ext 225

mccreary centre society adolescent health survey (ahs iv) january– may 2008

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